Fred lacey



F. LACEY.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.'19, 191 s.

1,362,1 13, Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

* m mm Int L nger.-

An f

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

FRED LACEY, on LOWELL,MASSACHUSETTS, Assrenon. TO DRAPER' CORPORATION,OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION or MAINE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pa-tgnted De 14 1920 Application filedAugust 19, 1919. Serial No. 318,471.

in the county of Middlesex and State of I Massachusetts, have inventedan Improvement in Feeler Mechanism for Looms, of

which the following description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawingsrepresenting like parts.

This invention relates to filling replenish ing looms, and is moreparticularly directed to improvements in feeler mechanisms employed insuch looms for effecting replenishment of filling when that in theactive shuttle I becomes substantially exhausted.

Feeler mechanisms of the side swipe type are mounted for movementlongitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantiallyexhausted, and by such side swipe or lateral movement, a train ofmechanism is set in operation for effecting replenishment of filling.The present invention relates generally to this type of feeler mechanisin, and its object is to improve such mechanism and render it moresimple, effective and reliable in action.

In the type offeeler mechanisms referred to, the side swipe or lateralmovement of the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, iseffected insome cases by a spring or other actuating means, and anotherspring or actuating means is employed for maintaining the feeler in itsrearward or feeling position. The association of duplicate means in thefeeler mechanism leads to complication in the mechanism itself, andreduces the sensitiveness of the feeler action.

An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists inproviding a unitary feeler moving member whichacts (1) to move thefeeler to and hold it in its rearward feeling position, and (2) effectmovement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling issubstantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

Other features and novel combination of parts will hereinafter bedescribed in addition to the above, and then the novel features will bedefinitely set forth in the claims.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a perspective view of the detecting side of aloom embodying the present invention, some of the parts being omittedfor the purpose of ,clearness of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a detail plan view showing the action of the feeler mechanismwhen the fill- 111 18 substantially exhausted; and

1g. 3 is a detail view partly in section showing one good form of meansfor effecting operative relation between the actuato and its operatingmember.

The loom frame 1 may be of anyusual or desired construction, and hassecured thereto the bearing brackets 2, one at each side of the loomframe, in which is supported the transverse or rock shaft 3, normallyunder the influence of a spring (not shown tending'to turn the shaftcontra-clockwise viewing Fig. 1. Secured to and'rising from the shaft 3is the arm 4 to which is pivotally connected at 5 the actuator 6 whichat times is adapted to be moved frontwardly under the command of anoperating member 7. The operating member 7may be of any desired type,and is preferably associated with the weft hammer or cam follower. Inthe present instance of theinventiomthe operating member 7, haspivotally connected thereto at 8 a thrustmember 9 which normallyoperates in the socketed end portion 10 of the actuator 6, as theoperating member? moves in its actuating path. Extending,

actuator, andpresent an abutment to the member 9, which thereupon movesthe actuator frontwardly and causes replenishment of filling.

The lay 14 may be of usual construction and provided with a shuttle box15, the

front wall 16 of which is provided with an opening or slot 17 whichregisters with a similar slot or opening 18 in the side wall of theshuttle 19 carrying the filling 20, the construction being such that thefeeler may enter the shuttle and feel for the filling on each detectingbeat. y

Mounted upon the loom frame. and in the present instance attached to theshipper handle bracket 21 is a feeler carrier or support 22 to which.is, pivotally connected at 23 a feeler carrier 24 which, in the presentinstance, is formed as a sleeve or tube in which is telescopicallymounted the feeler 25, the construction being such that the feeler may,under conditions to be hereinafter more fully described, be reciprocatedin the sleeve or tube 24. The rear end of the feeler 25 is provided withthe toothed end 26 which engages the filling.

The slot or tube 24 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 27through which projects the laterally extending pin 28 connected to thefeeler member 25. Rearwardly of the pin or arm 28 is a stop for limitingthe rearward movement of the feeler. In the present instance, the stopcomprises the two pins 29 against which the pin or arm 28 rests when thefeeler is in its rearward feeling position.

The present invention contemplates a unitary feeler moving member forimparting not only the rearward movement to the feeler after eachdetecting beat, but also, when the filling has become substantiallyexhausted, to impart to the feeler its movement in a directionlongitudinally of the shuttle. To this end the feeler movin membercomprises a slide 30 having a head portion 31 frontwardly of the pin orarm 28 and adapted to bear against said arm. The slide 30 is guided inits frontward and rearward reciprocating movement by suitable guides,which in the present instance of the invention, comprise the slotted lug32 through which the fiat portion of the slide extends, and 'a lug 33through which projects the pin 34 which is secured to or formed as partof the slide 30. In the pres ent instance, the pin 34 is formedseparately from the slide, and is secured thereto or integrated with itby means of a lug 35 formed on the slide frontwardly of the bearing lug32, and between the part 35 and the rear face of the lug or fronthearing 33 is interposed a spring 36 which normally acts upon the slideor feeler moving member to'yieldingly retain it in its rearwardposition, yet with permissive movement frontwardly under the. frontwardimpulse of the feeler member on a detecting beat.

From the construction described it will be apparent that the spring 36normally acts to impart to the feeler moving member a yielding impulserearwardly against the front portion of the pin or arm 28 extendinglaterally from the feeler. Thus, the feeler moving member maintains thefeeler in its rearward or feeling position, and returns it to suchposition after a, detecting beat.

When a working supply of filling is presentin the shuttle on a detectingbeat,

the toothed. .end portion 26. of the. feeler engages the filling massand sinks into it,

the effect being that as the feeler is moved frontwardly against theyielding action of the spring 36, the feeler 25 will be held frommovement longitudinally of the shuttle by the filling mass. Should,however, the filling be substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, andno longer suflicient to hold the feeler 25 from its movementlongitudinally of the shuttle, the feeler will, under the action of thespring 36 exerting its yielding force upon the laterally extending pinor arm 28, cause the feeler to be moved in a direction longitudinally ofthe shuttle substantially as indicated in Fig. 2, on the detecting beatwith filling substantially exhausted.

This movement of the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttleis utilized to effect movement of the actuator and its operating memberrelativelyinto operative relation. In the present instance, the link orarm 13 which, as previously described, is connected to the slide 12 atone end, has its other end jointed at 37 to the feeler carrier or sleeve2a, the construction being such that when the single or unitary feelermoving member 30 exerts its rearward pressure against the laterallyextending arm 28 as the feeler is moved frontwardly on a detecting beat,the feeler moving member will itself be moved frontwardly by thefrontwardly moving feeler, and will exert a rear ward tendency orinfluence upon the feeler to turn it or move it'in a directionlongitudinally of the shuttle, and effect such movement when the fillingis substantially exhausted.

The stop pins 29 are spaced apart and the feeler moving member acts uponthe arm or pin 28 at a point intermediate the stop pins, theconstruction being such that after an indication of substantial exhaustion of filling and consequent movement of the feeler to the right, Fig.l, the moving member acting upon the arm or pin 28 causes the feeler tobe swung laterally into feeling position to the left as it reachesrearward position.

What is claimed is 1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of a feeler stand, a sleeve pivotally mounted on the standfor movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, means foreffecting replenishment of filling when the sleeve is movedlongitudinally of the shuttle, a feeler telescopically mounted in saidsleeve and provided with a pin extending laterally therefrom, a unitaryspring impelled feeler moving member for moving the feeler (1) into itsrearward feeling position and (2) in a direction longitudinally of theshuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted, thesaid feelermoving memberbeing mounted to act upon the pin extending laterallyfromthe feeler to effect the described movements of the feeler.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of afeeler stand, asleeve pivotally mounted on the stand for movement in a directionlongitudinally of the shuttle, means for effecting replenishment offilling when the sleeve is moved longitudinally of the shuttle, a feelertelescopically mounted in said sleeve and provided with a pin extendinglaterally therefrom, a unitary spring impelled feeler moving member formoving the feeler (1) into its rearward feeling position and (2) in adirection longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling issubstantially exhausted, the said feeler moving member comprising aslide movable by the feeler as the latter is moved frontwardly on adetecting beat and acting upon said pin to effect the describedmovements of the feeler.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler membermounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle and constructed to beheld from such movement on a detecting beat by engagement with thefilling until substantial exhaustion thereof, means for effectingreplenishment of filling when the feeler is moved longitudinally of theshuttle, a pin extending laterally from the feeler, a stop forengagementby the pin when the feeler is in its rearward feeling position, a feelermoving member,

positioned to act upon the pin, and a spring for impelling the feelermoving member against the pin to move the feeler to feeling position andacting against the pin to also move the feeler longitudinally of theshuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mountedfor movement longitudinally of the shuttle and held from such movementon a detecting beat by the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof,means for effecting replenishment of filling when the feeler is movedlongitudinally of the shuttle, a pin extending laterally from thefeeler, a stop for engagement by the pin when the feeler is in itsrearward feeling position, a single feeler moving member for moving thefeeler (1) into its rearward feeling position with the pin bearingagainst the stop and (2) in a direction longitudinally of the shuttlewhen the filling is substantially exhaust-ed on a detecting beat.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of a feeler to feel for the filling in the shuttle, apivotally mounted sleeve in which said feeler is mounted, meansconnected with the sleeve for causing replenishment of filling when thesleeve is rocked upon its pivotal mounting, a pin. extending from thefeeler to one side thereof, and a spring impelled moving member bearmgcombination of a feeler to feel for the filling r in the shuttle, apivotally mounted sleeve in 'which said feeler is mounted, means connectedwith the sleeve for causing replenishment of filling when thesleeve is rocked upon its'pivotal mounting, a pin extending from thefeelerv to one side thereof, a stop adapted to be engaged by the pinwhen the feeler member is in its rearward position and a spring-impelledfeeler-moving mem her for moving the feeler to its rearward feelingposition and in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle whenthefilling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

7 In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that ismounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and in adirection longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from the lattermovement on a detecting beat by engagement with the filling untilsubstantial exhaustion thereof, a projection extending from the feeler,a unitary spring impelled feeler moving member acting upon theprojection at one side of the longitudinal center of the feeler formoving the feeler (1) to its rearward feeling position and (2) in adirection longitudinally of the shuttle.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler stand, afeeler mounted on the stand for movement toward and from the front ofthe loom and in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and that isheld from the latter movement by engagement with the filling on adetecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, a pin extendinglaterally from the feeler, a slide mounted adjacent the feeler, a springconstantly acting upon the slide to impel it against the laterallyextending pin to effect (1) a movement of the feeler to its rearwardfeeling position and (2) a movement of the feeler in a directionlongitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantiallyexhausted on a detecting beat.

9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mountedfor move ment longitudinally of the shuttle and held from such movementon a detecting beat by engagement with the filling until substantialexhaustion thereof, an arm or pin extending laterally from the feeler, astop against which the arm bears when the feeler is in rearwardposition, and a unitary spring impelled feeler moving member adapted tobear upon the arm at a point between the ends of the stop when thefeeler is in rearward position, and acting to (1) move the feelerrearwardly, (2) move it laterally or longitudinally of the shuttle whenthe filling is substantially exhausted, and in conjunction with thestop, move it laterally or longitudinally of the shuttle in the oppositedirection as the feeler returns to feeling position.

10. In a .feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feelermounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle and toward and fromthe front of the loom, means for effecting replenishment of filling whenthe feeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle, a pin extendinglaterally from the feeler, a stop for engagement by the pin when thefeeler is in its rearward position, and a spring impelled movingmemberbearing upon the pin to hold the feeler in its rearward. feelingposition and tending to move the feeler in a direction longitudinally ofthe shuttle on a detecting beat.

11. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mountedfor movement longitudinally of the shuttle and toward and from the frontof the 100m, said feeler constructed to engage the filling upon adetecting beat and to be held by the filling against movementlongitudinally of the shuttle until substantial exhaustion of thefilling occurs, means for effecting replenishment of filling when thefeeler is moved longitudinally ofthe shuttle, a pin extending laterallyfrom the feele'r, a stop for engagement by the pin when the feeler is inits rearward position, yielding means acting upon said pin to move thefeeler toward its rearward position and longitudinally of the shuttle inone direction, said stop constructed and arranged to move the feeler inan opposite direction loi'igitudinally of the shuttle as the pin ismoved into engagement therewith.

12. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that ismounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and in adirection longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from the lattermovement on a detecting beat by engagement with the filling untilsubstantial exhaustion thereof, a feeler moving slide mounted forsliding movement toward and from the frontof the loom, a spring normallyacting to move the feeler moving slide rearwardly but with permissivemovement frontwardly on a detecting beat, and a projection extendingbetween the feeler and slide which acts to move the slide frontwardly byfrontward movement of the feeler and exerts a lateral pressure upon thefeeler to move it longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling issubstantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

FRED LACEY.

